• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

HSL-43 Holds Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080520-08
Release Date: 5/20/2008 8:39:00 AM

From Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 Public Affairs

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43 "Battlecats," recieved a new commanding officer May 15, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI).

Cmdr. Richard F. O'Connell succeeded Cmdr. Matthew F. Coughlin as commanding officer.

Coughlin assumed command of HSL-43 in February 2007. His next duty assignment is USS Peleliu (LHA 5) where he will serve as the "Air Boss."

O'Connell served as HSL-43's executive officer since February 2007, and was commissioned in the Navy upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990.

Designated a naval aviator in June 1992, he began his SH-60B training with the HSL-41 "Seahawks." O'Connell was later assigned to NASNI's HSL-45 "Wolfpack," from June 1993 until June 1996. During his tour with the "Wolfpack," O'Connell deployed twice to the Persian Gulf – once as the assistant operations officer with Detachment 5 aboard USS Antietam (CG 54) and again as the operations officer with Detachment 2 aboard USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986).

Following his tour with HSL-45, he attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif., and graduated with a Master's of Science in Manpower Systems Analysis. He then reported to USS Boxer (LHD 4) in April 1998, where he served as the hangar deck officer, flight deck officer and aircraft handling officer while deployed to the Persian Gulf.

In August 2001, he returned to the Wolfpack and served as the training officer and officer in charge of Detachment 5 aboard USS Bunker Hill (CG 52). O'Connell also participated in the initial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After he completed his tour as the Wolfpack operations officer, O'Connell reported to Chief of Naval Operations staff, in November 2003, as an aviation budget analyst in the Assessment, Programming and Integration Division.

Following his Pentagon tour, O'Connell reported to National War College and received a second master's degree in National Security Strategy.

For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/airpac/.